Knots have certainly gotten bigger in recent years but there are a hardcore of smaller brush users. I have a 24mm knot maximum and use the Wee Scot, Classic 1, Coates Fitzwilliam, Duke 3, Chubby 1, M6 and other comparatively small brushes daily. Many artisan makers seem now to offer only 28mm and upwards, often with excessively treated hair, so I am grateful that Simpson continue to offer a range of smaller quality brushes without gel tips. I was surprised to read that you experienced a glue bump with the Duke 1.I've noticed that particularly everyone uses small brushes only for travel.
As for me, I do like small brushes at home. It seems to be an interesting topic...
There are more than few of us regularly using tiny brushes at home: TBOC (Tiny Brush Owners Club) not very active as of late ...I've noticed that particularly everyone uses small brushes only for travel.
As for me, I do like small brushes at home. It seems to be an interesting topic...
I was surprised too when I had received the Duke 1...I was surprised to read that you experienced a glue bump with the Duke 1.
If a small dense brush isn't your cup of lather then a Major might not be what you're looking for.
I settled this by buying a brass turnback travel brush from The Superior Shave. Mine is a synth and it has excellent splay, flow-through, and face feel; but you can get it as a badger. Not that big either. 20mm
Or if you're willing to go to 22mm, you could look at the Vulfix turnback.
Not all Simpsons brushes are dense.+1 on this. Every Simpson I have tried has been relatively dense. It’s one of the qualities Simpson is known for.
Excellent post that really gives the OP good answers to the questions he asked.For travel I have a Major in super, a Wee Scot in best, and a Classic 1 in synthetic. I briefly had a Case in best. My rankings are first the Major by a wide margin, next the Wee Scot and last the synthetic Classic 1. Maybe the Classic 1 is rated so low because I prefer badger to synthetic.
The briefly owned Case was extreme.y scritchy and much rougher than any othe Simpson best that I own. The Wee Scot packs easily in a a small pill bottle with an easily drilled for ventilation top. It can load directly off a shave stick and is a more than adequate travel brush, but it is very small. The first look at a Wee Scot makes you wonder whether it is a shaving brush or a toy, but the first use shows what a good brush it can be.
The Major is something special. The super badger knot dries relatively quickly yet can handle a three pass shave loading only once. The Turnback handle is comfortable and functional. For those that want a smaller handle, just use the brush without screwing it back into the case. I have used this brush on a number of trips with 10 plus days of daily use and not tired of it. The Wee Scot by comparison felt really small in my hand after a week of daily use.
For perspective, when not traveling my Simpson brushes are Chubby 1 in super, Duke 3 in best, and Classic 2 in best.
For me the premium paid for the Major in super was well worth it.